NCCOS, EPA and Partners Continue Monitoring Efforts in Great Lakes “Areas of Concern”

From July 21 to August 3, NCCOS scientists and partners collected wild and recover caged mussels from a number of sites on Lake Michigan, in both Wisconsin and Michigan, for monitoring of chemical contamination and mussel health. These sites are located in what have been designated as “Areas of Concern” as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. NCCOS is partnering with EPA, USGS, NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, and University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in this effort. Results from this work will be used by resource managers to assess remediation and source tracking of contaminants. Approximately 75 samples will be collected and measured for trace elements and legacy organic contaminants. For more information, contact Kimani.Kimbrough@noaa.gov.